Posted by Dustin on 08.10.2008 at 4:51 pm

Deciding his family was falling apart, Bruce made the decision to go up to the family cabin for some time away. Laurie however did not want to go, she was supposed to go to a Jackson Browne concert with Doug. This infuriated Bruce even more, demanding they go. Ricky, Janet and Roger’s kid, tagged along as Janet and Roger needed alone time.

Janet thinks Roger is depressed and he needs counseling. She got the name of a woman that was recommended to her. Upon arriving for the session, Janet started taking over! Janet kept talking about how Roger lost his job, which has made him depressed, and she thought he needed to talk to someone. The doctor started asking Janet questions, which of course upset her. After all they weren’t here for her, but for Roger. The doctor felt they both needed to talk to someone actually. This sent Janet over the edge and she stormed out, demanding Roger follow.

Up at the cabin, Susan called home to Roger, talking about how this trip isn’t as fun as the last one. As they chit chat, Bruce shows up and Susan has to pretend like it’s just a call to say hello. At Roger’s place, Janet walks in and wants to talk to Susan, claiming she’s lost the number for the cabin and is glad she called.

Bruce wanted to set some alone time up with Susan to talk, and she agreed. However she got waylaid by a fight with Laurie over the state of their marriage. Laure doesn’t understand how her parents could do what they were about to do with that couple. Susan tried to explain it was complicated. Laurie asked if her parents loved each other still? Susan says yes, but as you grow older, things change as does love. Laure doesn’t think so, she thinks if you love someone that should be enough. Susan said it was easy to say that where she was now. Laurie said no, all she wants is Doug, and if it got to the point where she was wanting other people, that Doug wasn’t enough for her . . . then she’d leave Doug. She said it was that simple. She told her mom that life was too short to settle.

Susan went to call Roger again, but was caught by Bruce who stormed in upset that she forgot about their date. She explained about what happened with Laurie. They then found a note from Laurie, saying she had run off to meet Doug for the concert! Susan called Doug, who told them Laurie was at some diner. They all agreed to go there to meet her.

On the way there, Bruce was blaming all of this on that Doug, but Susan said this was their fault. She said instead of being parents they were too busy having a good time and trying to convince each other they were still in love. Bruce said he didn’t have to be convinced, he knew he was still in love with her. Susan said nothing . . . He asked if she still loved him, she said yes of course.

At the diner, Doug and Laurie’s parents all arrive at the same time. She’s not happy, and Bruce is about to pummel Doug. Susan suggests they all sit down, have some pie and talk. Bruce feels Doug, who is 24, is too old for Laurie, who is 17. Laurie points out mom was 16 when she married. They also swear they did not do anything until after school was over. Doug says he fought this, but he respects Laurie and he respects she can make up her own mind. Susan admitted that she had seen a change in Laurie, she thinks Doug has helped her go out in the world, question things and get involved. Susan eventually let Laurie leave with Doug for the concert, knowing to stop her would only make her draw further away from them.

Meanwhile, Janet went back to the therapist to inform her that they would not be paying for yesterday’s session. The therapist didn’t expect her too, but would like to know what is going on here. Why did that happen. Janet sits down and talks, admitting she may have some issues. She breaks down, opening up about how there is this man paying attention to her. He told her she was beautiful, he even kissed her. She admits she likes it, but that it just can’t happen. The therapist suggests she talks to this man, let him know they can only be friends. Janet says she will do that.

Janet goes to see Tom, who is alone. She tries to talk to him, but then Trina shows up. Janet quickly claims she wants to have them over for dinner, she wants them to all get to know each other better. Tom and Trina accept and later go over for dinner. Janet finally gets to talk to Tom alone, and as she tells him they can only be friends, he’s bewildered. He has no idea where this is coming from, but plays along with her! Clearly he thought he was only being nice and friendly and she thought he was putting the moves on her.

Meanwhile we finally get the talk between Trina and Roger, the big one. She flat out tells him she can see what is between him and Susan, and thinks she is the one he wants. Roger finally admits it, saying he doesn’t know what to do. Trina says he can tell her and go for it, or he can try and get over his feelings for her.

Tom and Trina end up sneaking out of dinner early, as they both started getting weirded out a bit by Roger and Janet . . . especially Janet. They then ended there closed relationship status and had a foursome with another couple.

Janet meanwhile tells Roger she went to see the therapist and they had a really good talk about a lot of things. She was wrong about her, she is a good doctor. She tells Roger that she wants to do her part around here too, she’s going to go to an employment agency and see about getting a job. Roger said okay. Janet then went off to take a bath. Roger tried calling Susan, but hung up just as Susan got to the phone and answered it. Roger then dug the doctor’s business card out of the trash.

Also going on in this episode, BJ and Ricky were still fighting over Ricky and what happened with Samantha. Ricky felt if BJ hit him then he’d feel better, and egg’d him on into doing it. BJ admitted he felt better. He then told Ricky that he thinks his family is really screwed up. Ricky told him to join the club.

My Thoughts
I loved Janet once again, she was great in this episode. Her taking over Roger’s therapy session was classic, as was the whole misunderstanding of Tom’s intentions. I think he was being friendly and trying to make her feel good about herself, but she thought he was in love with her. When she contronted poor Tom, saying they could only be friends, he looked like he was afraid of Janet! I really thought for a second Janet was going to jump on him. Maybe he did too! He played along, but couldn’t wait to get out of there. The way Janet talked to the therapist about Tom, I think she actually does have a little crush on him.

I loved the heart to heart Laurie had with her mom. It was ironic that the kid was setting the parent straight on love, telling her mom that if her dad was not enough she should leave him and find what does make her happy. It was odd to hear a kid basically telling her mother it was okay to get a divorce if that was what made her happy, but it also showed maturity on Laurie’s part I think.

Susan going to call Roger after the talk with Laurie basically was her making the move, admitting she wanted Roger. Roger also finally admitted to Trina it was Susan he wanted. So there we have it, after all this time they both have admitted at least to themselves (and us) they want each other. I have to say, I’m really feeling for Janet and Bruce as they are about to be blindsided and probably don’t see it coming. I think I feel a little more for Janet, as Bruce came across as a controlling father and husband in this episode.

BJ and Ricky ventured back into pointless and boring land this week, but fortunately they were on for a quick moment and that was about it. I honestly did think when they had their fist fight, that Ricky was going to kiss BJ. I guess that would be a little too predictable though.